There’s a belief that has been repeated for years on virtually every hair care blog. It says: a blow-dry causes damage to hair. Is this actually true?
Enjoy my blow-dry-hair-damage post 🙂
Do I blow-dry my hair?
Usually I don’t but this is because of me being too lazy, plus my hair is pretty easy to manage. I don’t need a round brush because my tresses look nice when they dry naturally. So I simply wash the hair, towel dry and leave it.
Sometimes I need to get a blow-dryer because I’m in a rush, for example. You know what? I’m fine with it since I know that dryers pose “zero” threat to healthy hair.
Does blow-drying cause damage to hair?
I don’t think so. That’s my opinion. The thing that matters, though, is how you do it and what you use.
The condition of hair is also essential. Obviously, weak hair is more prone to damage. Healthy hair will not suffer because of a dryer. Before you start blaming your blow-dryer for hair care failure, first think if there might be something else making your hair worse.
I’m sure that in 90% of cases hair is damaged due to wrongly-performed blow-dry routine, not merely because of using a dryer. The difference is huge!
What causes damage during blow-dry routine?
Each case is different. It might be improper device or wrong technique. Sometimes, it might be both so you get a hair-destructive combo.
Take a look at the most common causes of blow-dry hair damage I’ve rounded up for you:
- too hot airflow;
- holding the nozzle too close to the hair or scalp;
- not detangling hair prior to drying;
- chaotic blow-drying in various directions instead of following the direction of growth;
- lack of protection e.g. with a hair oil that saves from heat;
- lengthy blow-dry routine, until drying the last drop of water;
- using an old, overheating blow-dryer without ionization;
- and above all, blow-drying damaged hair.
Hair blow-dry mistakes
Now, it’s time to briefly describe top blow-dry mistakes. What are we guilty of?
WRONG BLOW-DRYER
Check if your blow-dryer is operable. The use of overheating devices is a very common mistake. If the temperature is much higher than the one you’ve set, your hair is going to suffer. The worst thing you can do is use a dryer which doesn’t have a heat control at all, let alone other extra features.
Above all, a good blow-dryer should be operable, have a temperature set control (at least cool and warm air flow), as well as be ionic (to keep frizz away).
WRONG TECHNIQUE
Watch a tutorial on YouTube to check if you blow-dry your hair the right way. The most popular mistake concerns the wrong direction of drying: chaotic motions and drying in the opposite direction to the hair growth. This way all you get is hair breakage and knots, plus burnt strands if you hold the nozzle near the skin on the head.
You won’t cause damage if you use a cool airflow and blow the hair dry in the direction of its growth, brushing it at the same time. Also remember to hold the dryer at the distance of approx. 10 inches from the scalp.
ZERO PROTECTION
How do you prime your hair for a blow-dry? Most of you towel dry and… that’s it. This is a big mistake because hair without protection is much more exposed to damage. Heat helps hair dry but it surely isn’t hair-friendly. Over-dried hair loses water which keeps strands hydrated.
Guard your hair from heat by applying a heat protectant. Simply rub a few drops of oil (e.g. argan) in hair or use a light, spray-on product.
How about giving up on a blow-dryer?
To be honest, the simplest methods are the best. You want to save your hairdo from heat damage? Don’t use a blow-dryer.
Air-drying is the most beneficial to hair. If you decide on blow-drying the tresses, make sure you leave them just a bit damp so that the last drops of water can evaporate naturally.
